Jain Journal 1975 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 19

JAIN JOURNAL
Vijaya :
My Lord! When the elephant was coming in its full fury, the Prince stood in front of him, with his hands spread wide.
Siddhartha :
What, the Prince stood plump in front of the elephant unarmed ?
Vijaya :
Yes, so it was. When the elephant trumpeted and threw its trunk at him, the Prince laughed at the elephant's rage. In a flash, the Prince put his foot on the trunk and in the next moment he was on the brow of the elephant. Then he had a firm hold on its neck with both his feet. After that he tickled the beast mysteriously behind the lobes of his ear. And by a magic spell, the elephant which shook like an earthquake stood still like a rock.
Sumitra :
And in that very silent posture, the elephant raised his trunk in respectful obeisance to the Prince.
Siddhartha :
I am proud of my son, Vardhaman.
Vijaya :
While the elephant held his trunk aloft in respectful salutation, the Mahout came running behind. The Prince handed over the elephant to him and joined us again.
Sumitra :
And then when we were coming over to you, a deadly snake sprang at us from the trunk of a Baniyan-tree. We got terrified but the Prince stood calm. He caught hold of the snake by his tail and threw him hastily far away. There is some divine spark in the Prince so that the most ferocious creatures become inert in his presence.
Siddhartha :
This is all the blessing of Lord Parshvanath. The divine spark in the Prince comes from the Lord. But where is the Prince at present.
Vijaya :
We thought he was already with you.
Siddhartha :
No, he has not come here as yet. He is so humble that he never extols his deeds nor does he want to hear words of praises for self. This worries me constantly,